Ann Coulter said Thursday she'd back Hillary Clinton over John McCain.

(CNN) - In the latest sign that a conservative backlash is starting to build against John McCain, conservative commentator Ann Coulter said Thursday she is prepared to vote for Hillary Clinton over the Arizona senator in a general election match up.

Speaking on Fox's "Hannity and Colmes," Coulter took aim at the GOP frontrunner, and suggested he was little more than a Republican in name only.

"If you are looking at substance rather than if there is an R or a D after his name, manifestly, if he's our candidate, than Hillary is going to be our girl, because she's more conservative than he is," Coulter said. "I think she would be stronger on the war on terrorism."

Coulter took aim at McCain's positions - particularly his fervent anti-torture stance - and said he and Clinton differ little on the issues. Coulter also said she is prepared to campaign on Clinton's behalf should McCain win the party's nomination.

"John McCain is not only bad for Republicanism, which he definitely is - he is bad for the country," she said.

Coulter is the latest high profile conservative to express dismay with McCain's surging candidacy. Talk-radio host Rush Limbaugh said Wednesday McCain's rise was the product of a 'fractured' conservative base and an "uninspiring" GOP presidential field.

"He is not the choice of conservatives, as opposed to the choice of the Republican establishment — and that distinction is key," Limbaugh continued. "The Republican establishment, which has long sought to rid the party of conservative influence since Reagan, is feeling a victory today as well as our friends in the media."

McCain has long been at odds with conservative members of his party. — Exit polls from the early-primary states have shown the he has consistently lost among those primary voters who identify themselves as conservative. But he passed a key test Tuesday in winning Florida's primary, the first early contest that only allowed registered Republicans to participate.

Reacting to criticisms from his party's most conservative quarters, McCain told the San Francisco Gate Thursday, "I'll continue to reach out to all in the party, try to unite the party, until everybody realizes that the only way we're going to defeat the Democratic candidate is through a united party."

soundoff(445 Responses)

Deborah

The reason - and I mean the ONLY reason - that Coulter would vote for Clinton is so that she could have someone to bash for the next 4-8 years, write books about, get highly paid speaking engagements to criticize. Give me a BREAK! Coulter's idea of intellectual and political integrity is making sure she is wearing panties beneath those microskirts. I am not a McCain fan, nor a Barrack fan. But I am DEFINITELY NOT A COULTER FAN!

February 2, 2008 12:28 pm at 12:28 pm |

Gregory S.

Typical nonsense from showbiz Ann, who will say ANYTHING to get attention. Reminds me of how Hillary will SAY anything if she thinks she can squeeze a vote out of it.

It's high time for the media to stop marching out their court jester, Ms. Coulter.

February 2, 2008 12:38 pm at 12:38 pm |

Kitty Conrad

Ann Coulter is not a "conservative commentator." Ann Coulter is a loud idiot who deserves to be locked in room with James Carville and not allowed to come out until they agree on everything.

February 2, 2008 12:48 pm at 12:48 pm |

Jorge

Any doubts Hillary can unite Repuublicans and Democrats?

Go Hillary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

February 2, 2008 01:33 pm at 1:33 pm |

Philo, Chicago, Illinois

Wow, even Ann Coulter knows that Hillary is a Republican. GO OBAMA !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

February 2, 2008 03:01 pm at 3:01 pm |

Janel, St. Paul, MN

This must make Senator Clinton's day!

February 2, 2008 04:02 pm at 4:02 pm |

Jim

Hillary Cliton is more republican then McCain... Not really, but I'm a dem. and im NOT voting for someone who wants to go to war with Iran and leave forces in Iraq to fight terrorism. I'm so pissed that Dennis Dropped out. Hopefully Ron Paul or mike Gravel will win so we can our troops out the middle as soon as possible.

February 2, 2008 04:29 pm at 4:29 pm |

Jim

There really isnt much of a difference between cliton and obama they both suck.... election never get anything done

February 2, 2008 04:31 pm at 4:31 pm |

Sean

No, it makes great politcal sense... Most people cant stand this woman. So whomever she "backs" is bound to lose.

February 2, 2008 04:33 pm at 4:33 pm |

Mike

Shes is the biggest Clinton hater.Now I know I'm going to vote for Hillary.Shes just saying she supports Hillary so the Dems jump to OB.Nice try Ann,you dont fool me

February 2, 2008 06:38 pm at 6:38 pm |

Pat

I'm surprised she's not going for Obama. He is 6th cousin to Dick Cheney.

February 3, 2008 08:07 am at 8:07 am |

Mark

Well if Ann Coulter hates McCain, maybe he's my man!

February 3, 2008 12:54 pm at 12:54 pm |

Dan

Juan McCain is more interested in Mexico than the US!!!!!!!!

February 4, 2008 02:18 pm at 2:18 pm |

Jim

Ok Ann, get a life. It's about electing the most conservative candidate possible. If McCain is it then you should be stumping for a VP who will take the reins in four or eight years down the road. Just confess you had a brain fart and get back on point!

February 4, 2008 05:53 pm at 5:53 pm |

Lacey

Coulter is right. McCain is no where near conservative and at least Hilary comes by liberalism honestly. When the whole country goes up in flames because of stupid liberal ideology, I'd rather a democrat be in office. Maybe Clinton would be tougher on terroism as well. I can live with higher taxes and socialized medicine as long as we don't get blown up by Islamic terroists.

February 5, 2008 10:47 am at 10:47 am |

MJ

The SHE-MAN is just mad because the right wingnuts are losing their control in the Republican party.

Hey, SHE-MAN, you have a better Adam's Apple than anybody I know. Dude, you were right, you are a better man than John Edwards.

February 5, 2008 11:47 am at 11:47 am |

Peter Principle

He is not the choice of conservatives, as opposed to the choice of the Republican establishment — and that distinction is key," Limbaugh continued.

Maybe it's just the drugs talking, but Rush seems to be suffering from split personality syndrome. Doesn't he realize that he IS part and parcel of the "Republican establishment?"

February 5, 2008 12:01 pm at 12:01 pm |

jr

im glad to hear so many republicans think she is a nut job. im a democrat but in the end we are all americans, does she really speak for any relevant sector of our society or is she really just a self promoting evil nut job. i have never agreed with a thing rush has ever said, but at least he is a basically decent person

February 6, 2008 04:44 am at 4:44 am |

Joe

One wonders many who are making "comments" are also the ones surprised by the down-turn in the economy after buying their McMansions on credit and then maxing out their credit cards. People who think that the primary job of Americans is consumerism. Vote for whomever you feel will roll up their sleeves and graduate kids from high school and college that can compete on an international level. The world doesn’t owe you. You owe the world. Persisting in our current egotistical malaise will end badly.

February 6, 2008 12:40 pm at 12:40 pm |

Rickey

We have several of Ann Coulter's books. If she votes for Hillary Clinton, then we are prepared to take her books and burn them. John MC cain will be the next president of the USA. We will vote for him. If Ann Coulter votes for Clinton, she is not a Conservative, but a traitor to the party.